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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Navy Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
HMC Fred R. Crowder U.S. Navy (Ret) (1970-2000)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
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| The Reason I joined the Navy |
My family has always been part of the Navy since the Revolutionary War. Several of my great uncles were on battleships in the very early 1900's. My father was nominated to attend the Naval Academy class of 1939 but just prior to leaving for the Academy, he had to decline his nomination as his father had a stroke and my Dad was the only means of family income in 1935. My dad's half brother, SN1 Samuel Warwick Crowder was killed on the Battleship USS Oklahoma (BB37) during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was one of the 429 casualties of Oklahoma's attack. Unfortunately my uncle's remains have never been identified and are believed to be in one of the common graves at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu. My dad's two other brothers also joined the Navy just after the Declaration of War against Japan.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I first attempted to join the Naval Reserve in my hometown in January 1969 but I failed the entrance physical due to a heart murmur. After 12 months of going to Naval Hospital, Bremerton, AFEES (now MEPS) in Seattle, then Madigan Army Hospital, and then back to the NRC in
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| I've got a what Murmur? |
Aberdeen, Washington, I passed my physical in late December in 1969. Got my draft notice the very same day on 5 Jan 1970 and joined US Naval Reserve as a 2 x 6 Reservist. Thirteen days of NR Boot Camp at NTC San Diego and then 13 days ACDUTRA at Naval Hospital Bremerton March 1970.
I left for my required two years of Naval Reserve active duty on12/27/1970: Reported to Naval Station San Diego until 1/4/1971. Then on 5Jan1971 I started: HM "A" School at Naval Hospital Corps School, Naval Hospital, San Diego. Graduated in April 1971. Upon graduation, I received orders to Naval Hospital, Bremerton. Apr 1971-Feb 1972: Naval Hospital, Bremerton, WA. Feb 1972-Sep 1973: Reported to Naval Dispensary, Seattle, WA at NSA Sandpoint. in Seattle, WA (my best command). Sep 1973 - Oct 1974: HM "C" X-Ray Technician School; Graduated Oct 30, 1974.
I received orders to Naval Regional Medical Clinic, Pearl Harbor, HI. TAD permanently to MCAS Kaneohe Bay Medical Clinic as Radiology Dept LPO. Was also TAD to Tripler Army Hospital and Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, HI. Transferred in December 1976 to USNH Guam, Marianas Islands. Dec 1976 - Aug 1978: USNH Guam, Marianas Islands. (best overseas command). Aug 17, 1978: Released from active duty. Aug 18, 1978 - Feb 1984: Joined Naval Reserve again at NRC, Bremerton, WA drilling with several units: USS Dixon (AS3722), Naval *Hospital Bremerton, and MedCruDet 422. Feb 1984- July 1984: Moved to Grand Prairie TX and drilled at NRC Dallas, TX. Jul 10, 1984:
I returned to active duty. Attended NAVET School at NTC San Diego: Received orders to NH Oakland, CA. Jul 1984 - August 1986: LPO of Radiology Department, NH Oakland, CA. Aug 1986 - Oct 1988: LPO of Radiology Department, U S Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan. Oct 1988 - Nov 1988: Instructor School, NTC, San Diego. Dec 1988 - Feb 1993: Instructor at Navy's Basic X-Ray Technician School, NSHS San Diego Detachment, Oakland, CA. as Senior *Instructor at time of transfer. Feb 1993 - Jan 1996: USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) homeported in Oakland, CA. Jan 1996 - Feb 1996: Navy Officer Recruiting Leadership Academy, Navy Recruiting School, NAS Pensacola. Feb 1996 - Aug 31, 2000: Navy Recruiting Area EIGHT(Region WEST), Oakland, CA. Retired from Naval Service after 25 years of active duty and nearly 6 years of Naval Reserve service.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
1989 San Francisco Earthquake, I was an Instructor at the Navy's Basic X-Ray Technician School in Oakland, CA. At 5:04PM, our staff was just ending a staff meeting when the quake hit and the building was shaking with cracks going up the walls. We immediately yelled for all to evacuate the building and meet in the parking lot outside our building. About an hour later, I took my students to the Naval Hospital 2 blocks away and we were expecting to work for quite along time that night as the Admiral of the Hospital announced that the Bay Bridge partially collapsed and the Cypress Structure had totally collapsed with what we first heard were hundreds of trapped victims.
The hospital received about 70 civilians who were injured throughout the area of Oakland near Naval Hospital Oakknoll. Later we were told that there were about 40-50 people trapped in the Cypress Structure and it would be hours before any hospital received victims. I left the hospital about 0230 the next morning and hit the sack for about 3 hours. A few weeks later, several instructors including myself received the Humanitarian Award but the memories of that night still trouble me whenever I go under an overpass and have to stop
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My favorite duty station was Naval Dispensary at Naval Support Activity, Seattle, Washington. Our Commanding Officer, CAPT Roy G. Brown MC, a Cardiologist was my CO at my previous duty station at Naval Hospital, Bremerton, Washington. He and our XO, CAPT Leslie Joslin MSC, made our command a favorite for
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| Sandpoint 1972 Softball Champs |
all enlisted members as well as the rest of the staff. CAPT Brown was a WWII Hospital Corpsman. CAPT Joslin's father was a crewmember of the first Aircraft Carrier USS Langley. Both of them were members of our volleyball team and attended every football and softball game at Sandpoint. They both held open door policies for all staff which was a high morale booster for us all. Upon both their retirement's, only a few staff were required to attend and the rest of the staff were put on liberty. I can tell you that everyone of us who were not on duty, reported in the Uniform of the Day to honor them both at their Retirement Ceremony. I still think of these of these great leaders.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
 Again my tour at Naval Dispensary, Naval Support Activity, Seattle, WA due the command environment by my Commanding Officer, CAPT Roy G. Brown (MC) USN and Executive Officer, CAPT Lesley Joslin, (MSC) USN. These two officers in my opinion were always committed to command excellence. The command was tight and due to our small staff, we all got together for all command functions. Many of the command members including myself stay in touch with each other. Three of my former shipmates were like my brothers and we stayed in touch with each other for nearly 40 years. One of the three, HM3 Steven M. Beck (my best friend) died in 1995 from cancer. My son who was born in 1992 was named after him and Steve (Beck) was honored that we named him . A picture of Scott Beck (who died in 1996 due to cancer), Scott Dinsmore, Lee (Big Fred) Frederick, and myself (Little Fred) is enclosed at Naval Dispensary when the four of us got together for the fist time since 1973.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
In 1975, I volunteered for SAR Duty at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station and was awarded my designation as an Air Crewman; After I returned to active duty from the Naval Reserve , Making HMC at Naval School of Health Sciences in Oakland, CA; Also receiving my Master Training Specialist designation and award at NSHS as well. To receive my Master Training Specialist award, I was required to be to teach all 14 courses of instruction at the X-Ray Technician School.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I received the Humanitarian Award: I was stationed in Oakland, CA at Naval Hospital, Oakland base as an Instructor on the Day of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. I mustered all my X-Ray School students as all personnel's liberty was secured. We worked at the Navy Hospital until nearly 0200 the day after the quake receiving at least 80-90 civilian personnel who were injured in the local community. That day was a terrible day in the Bay Area and we thanked God that not as many people were killed as we were first reported to expect. Word was spread that we could have expected between 400-600 dead and injured just on the Cypress Structure.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There are several. Once again, I think that Captain Roy G. Brown who was my Commanding Officer at both Naval Hospital, Bremerton and at Naval Dispensary, Seattle had a big impact on my career. He got me to apply for x-ray technician school in early 1973 and I was accepted for the class starting in Sept 1973. Another was HMC Carmen A Baker, at Naval School of Health Sciences in Oakland, CA. She was one hell of a Chief and later transferred to the Bureau where she made HMCS and later was commissioned as an MSC Officer. When I made HMC in 1992, she personally called me at 0600 when I arrived at our school office and was the first person to congratulate me.
Finally LCDR Gloria Russell at Naval Recruiting Region WEST Medical Programs Officer when I first reported from my Ship, USNS Mercy. She showed me the ropes and after she transferred about a year later, I took over her billet and 6 other billets due to downsizing of our command. WE had a staff in the Officer Recruiting Department of 10 personnel and went down to 2, myself and our Nuclear Officer Recruiter, who was on the road an average of 18-20 days a month. This required me to take over as the Acting Officers Program Officer, Statistician, Minority Programs Officer, Medical Programs Officers and my own Billet as the Assistant Medical Programs Officer.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I was stationed in Seattle and was on the Command Football Team. It was my last day prior to transferring to San Diego. I usually played an end but for the last game I was rooked into playing quarterback. Well, I had never played that position and I did as
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| Bombs Away |
everyone wanted. The ball was hiked to me and I threw the ball to the receiver, I so thought. The ball must have went up about a hundred feet straight up and MAYBE 50 feet in front of me and into the hands of an opposing player. The other player was shocked how he caught the ball and dropped it with no one picking it up. One of our players got the ball and ran for a touchdown. Whenever I go to Seattle and see a lot of my old shipmates on the team, that incident comes up.
Another thing I think about that was scary to me at the time and now I laugh about was back in 1978 was during Typhoon Kim. I was on duty and the only single tech, so of course I got assigned to stay in the department. During the Typhoon, water started pouring in an open window and was grabbing towels and anything I could get my hands on to stop the water from flooding our department. This went on for hours until the center of the typhoon was in Guam. Several other hospital staff were able to come up and assist me in cleaning up the department. I had never been in a Typhoon and I was scared as hell because of the wind and rain. We had minimal damage to equipment and were back up the next day.
I just remembered something from 1973, a couple months after I started X-ray Technician School in San Diego. I was taken out of class and informed to go to the CMAA. I was charged with destruction of private property overseas in Italy which the CMAA had listed on the report? I was dumbfounded on what he was talking about as I had never been overseas and been stationed previously in Seattle. The CMAA didn't seem to care or want to listen as he stated he had everything he needed. I was charged and CAPT's Mast the next day. I was informed to go to my school and report in SRB's at 0900 the following day. Once I got back to my class, I went to the head instructor and asked, "what the hell do I do as I was totally innocent of the charges and again had never been overseas or in Italy where this had happened". My instructor got my service record and a copy of the report chit and noticed that the SSN on the chit was close to mine but not mine and that the name was the same but different middle initials. During the date the incident happened I was stationed at 32nd Street in San Diego. The next day my Head Instructor oriented the CO with the facts with the proof and all charges dropped and an apology by him. The CMAA was informed to stay in his office after I was dismissed. I later heard he got his ass chewed out for not investigating this which he could have seen the mistakes in about 2 minutes. I was able to finish my school which was a year long school.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
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| X-Ray Technician School Class |
I am still in the field of Radiologic Technology, of which I have been in since 1972. I was hired one week by Oregon Health Sciences University after my retirement ceremony. I was on terminal leave at that time. While on terminal leave, I had 8 job offers and decided to choose Oregon Health and Sciences University. I am ready to fully retire after nearly 15 years as I am now 65 and ready for a change.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
The American Legion. It's a good way to reconnect with other Navy Veterans; Disabled American Veterans: They have helped me get some disability assistance after I was denied a disability from a shipboard accident while I was on the USNS Mercy. National Chief Petty Officer Association; This association is a good way in which to stay in touch with other Chief Petty Officers. I had planned on going to last year's convention but my stepdaughter's wedding occurred that same week; Non Commissioned Officer's Association: Have attended a couple meetings at Joint Base Fort Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington. They have a large club and not too many Navy people go there; International Chief Petty Officer Association: Joined this association immediately after it was formed; Fleet Reserve Association: Funny thing happened the first time I went to the Portland, Oregon meeting. I was the youngest member there and I was in my mid 50s at the time; Navy Memorial Association: I love going to the Navy Memorial. I have been there about 5 times in my career but not in the past 15 years since I retired. I want to go there once more. If you are ever in Washington, DC, you HAVE to visit the Navy Memorial!!
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
 The one thing we do is to take responsibility for our actions. If you do something wrong, ADMIT it, don't lie or blame others if you are in the wrong. Treat others as you want to be treated. Set a goal and go for it whether it is short or long term. Never forget that you are and will always be a part of the world's "Greatest" Navy. When you make Chief, remember where you came from. The camaraderie in the Navy really did help my career especially when going through my Chief's Initiation. As we were told, have trust in the Mess. I instilled that when I helped new Selectees the years after I made Chief. I miss the Navy and have run into a few and recently one retired Chief who I was initiated with.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Talk to a recruiter and pick a field that you can take with you after you get out or retire. Stay focused, Get your degree and study hard, Get advanced, Learn from those who come before you. Go to sea on a haze gray and underway.. It's GREAT!! Unfortunately, I was on only one ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH19) although I drilled on a WWII Tin Can in 1970.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
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| TWS and the US Navy |
I have been able to email with numerous old shipmates whom I have not seen in decades. Several of these people have been trying to get in touch with me as well. Additionally, I have been able to find out which commands have been decommissioned or deactivated. I have been receiving email from people who have found my name and asking me if I knew others who were stationed at the same command. If only I could be 21 again, I would do it all over again!! Being a part of NTWS makes me wish even more that I was still in. I miss being in, at sea, and being with old friends and shipmates.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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